Mrs J Wright, Durban Girls High School,2006
Definition : ulcer n. an open sore on an external
or internal surface
found in the stomach lining, and though to be caused
by stressful living.
Using an endoscope to view an ulcer and a tissue sample then
taken to be analysed
View of an ulcer in the stomach
The curious observation made by
Dr Robin Warren in the samples
given to him to analyse.
These observations were investigated
by Dr Marshall.
In the laboratory.
Team work to produce
a culture of H. pylori!
Dr Barry Marshall 1981, Australia
A sample was taken and viewed under the
After months of trials and failures,
an unplanned long weekend in the incubator
produced a result!
Removal of H. pylori
and healing of the ulcer?
Scanning E.M of H.pylori on
the stomach walls.
How the ulcer is formed
H. pylori causes excess production
of HCl by cells of the stomach lining. The stomach is trying to
kill the bacterium.
The excess acid removes
the mucus layer and the
stomach cells are then attacked,
resulting in an ulcer.
Acid inhibitors such as Tagamet now usually prescribed for relief
but they have to be taken continually.
Test kits for